New Inter-Factional Union in the Verkhovna Rada: Demining, Innovation, International Expertise, and MFO Secretariat at UAGRV

The partner of UDS, the Ukrainian Association of Humanitarian Demining and Recovery (UAGRV), has initiated the establishment of an inter-factional parliamentary group in the Verkhovna Rada of Ukraine titled “Mine Action.” This group includes 15 representatives from key parliamentary committees and their structural subdivisions. Notably, Ihor Herasymenko, Head of the Subcommittee on Mine Action of the Verkhovna Rada Committee on National Security, Defense and Intelligence, and Oleksandr Horeniuk, a member of the Verkhovna Rada Committee on Transport and Infrastructure, certified urbanist and professional IT specialist, were appointed as co-chairs of the newly formed MFO “Mine Action.”

UDS legal experts actively participate in cooperation with the parliamentary group.

In addition to the MPs leading the inter-factional union “Mine Action,” 13 other representatives of key parliamentary committees have joined:

From the parliamentary faction of the political party “Servant of the People”:

1. Oleksandr Zavitnevych – Chair of the Verkhovna Rada Committee on National Security, Defense and Intelligence
2. Maria Mezentseva – Deputy Chair of the Committee, Head of the Subcommittee on the Approximation of Ukrainian Legislation to EU Law of the Verkhovna Rada Committee on Ukraine’s Integration into the European Union
3. Yehor Cherniev – Deputy Chair of the Committee on National Security, Defense and Intelligence, Head of the Subcommittee on International Military Cooperation, NATO and EU Integration
4. Maryna Nikitina – Head of the Subcommittee on the Adaptation of Ukrainian Legislation to EU Law (acquis communautaire), implementation of Ukraine's international legal obligations in European integration under the Committee on Agrarian and Land Policy
5. Vladlen Nekliudov – Head of the Subcommittee on the Activities of Prosecutor’s Offices under the Committee on Law Enforcement
6. Pavlo Pavlish – Deputy Chair of the Verkhovna Rada Committee on Legal Policy
7. Denys Herman – Head of the Subcommittee on Modern IT and Innovation in the Budget Process of the Verkhovna Rada Committee on Budget
8. Oleh Seminskyi – Deputy Chair of the Committee on Energy and Housing and Communal Services
9. Dmytro Solomchuk – Member of the Committee on Agrarian and Land Policy

From the parliamentary faction of the political party All-Ukrainian Union “Batkivshchyna”:

1. Valentyn Nalyvaichenko – Secretary of the Verkhovna Rada Committee on Ukraine’s Integration into the EU
2. Mykhailo Volynets – Head of the Subcommittee on Interaction with Government Bodies and the Public of the Committee on Energy and Housing and Communal Services
3. Vadym Ivchenko – Member of the Verkhovna Rada Committee on National Security, Defense and Intelligence

Independent MPs:

1. Viktoriia Hryb – Head of the Subcommittee on Energy Security of the Verkhovna Rada Committee on Energy and Housing and Communal Services

The priorities of the newly established MFO “Mine Action” in the Verkhovna Rada of Ukraine include supporting a systemic and innovative approach to humanitarian demining and modernizing the legal and regulatory framework in this area. Specifically, members of the parliamentary MFO “Mine Action” will ensure:

1. The development, submission, and support of a new edition of the Law of Ukraine “On Mine Action in Ukraine”
2. Parliamentary oversight in the field of mine action
3. Cooperation with parliaments of other countries, international organizations, donors, mine action operators, Ukrainian state bodies, local communities, and civil society
4. Analysis of demining results in Ukraine, synthesis of international experience and innovative solutions for their implementation in national legislation

Unfortunately, the current Ukrainian legislation on mine action is outdated, making it difficult to implement innovations without updating the regulatory base. According to experts of the Ukrainian Association of Humanitarian Demining and Recovery, the most urgent need is for the Parliament to adopt the following bills:

1. Draft Law No. 11258 on amending Subsection 2, Section XX "Transitional Provisions" of the Tax Code of Ukraine regarding VAT exemption for import operations of goods for the production and/or repair of mechanized demining machines
2. Draft Law No. 11259 on amending Section XXI "Final and Transitional Provisions" of the Customs Code of Ukraine regarding exemption from import duty for goods used for the production and/or repair of mechanized demining machines

Background:

Ukraine is currently the most contaminated country in the world in terms of explosive remnants of war, with around 139,000 square kilometers of potentially hazardous land—and this area continues to grow. These explosive remnants pose a long-term threat to human life and health, impeding recovery, return of displaced persons, and sustainable economic development.

Traditional demining methods are insufficient to clear this vast territory in a reasonable time. According to the World Bank, it will take at least $37 billion USD to fully clear Ukraine of mines and other explosive remnants of war.

Meanwhile, cutting-edge technologies — including artificial intelligence, satellite analytics, unmanned systems, and more — are already being deployed in Ukraine and can significantly accelerate, improve the safety of, and reduce the cost of humanitarian demining.

UAGRV — the Ukrainian Association of Humanitarian Demining and Recovery

Its associate members include humanitarian demining operators and manufacturers of advanced technologies, such as:

1. DEF-C
2. Intecracy Group
3. Abris
4. A3Tech LLC
5. Yuvitek LLC
6. DOK-ING

Partner organizations, state institutions, and business allies include:

1. Yellow-Blue Charity Foundation
2. Ukraine Renovation Fund
3. DTEK RES LLC
4. Mykolaiv Regional Military Administration
5. Ukrainian Demining Services
6. UkrOboronService SE
7. Alliance Aktiv
8. Intertrade-Ukraine
9. ICC Ukraine
10. International Action Alliance
11. Rotary in Ukraine
12. State Emergency Service of Ukraine
13. Humanitarian Demining Center

Source: https://novyny.co.ua/nove-mfo-u-parlamenti-rozminuvannja